SUBJECTS

In 1945, when the world was coming out of a conflict that claimed the lives of over 50 million people, the international community created the United Nations, conceiving a multilateral system to address the issues of peace and security, which has the Security Council as its central body.

At the time there were 51 UN members. Today, there are 193. Despite the important transformations in the world since then, the structure of the Security Council has changed only once: in 1965, with the increase of non-permanent seats from six to ten. Regions like Africa and Latin America are still excluded from permanent participation in that decision core. An outdated governance structure compromises its legitimacy – and, in turn, its effectiveness.

The world cannot forgo without a Security Council that is capable of dealing with serious threats to peace. A renewed Security Council should reflect the emergence of new actors, particularly from the developing world, who are able to contribute to overcoming the challenges of the international agenda.

The reform of the Security Council is urgent and needs to be discussed not only in government offices and international conferences, but also in universities, the media, in parliaments – in short, by society in general.

On this page one can find not only information about the seminar "Current challenges to international peace and security: the need to reform the UN Security Council", organized by the Brazilian Government in April 2013 to help broaden the debate, but also relevant documents and texts so that one can understand the negotiating process on this issue.